Bra fitting help » too big and too small?
Betsey Johnson Intimates » Retro Glamour Demi Bra (723700) » 30C 30:3
Issue resolved
bra size has changed
Original problem
I tried this bra and it seems to fit okay at the top of the cups but the bottom of the cup isn't filled. I think the band may be a little bit too big but the bra as a whole hurts, specifically the gore and underwire leaving marks. I'd like some help figuring out what about this bra isn't working so I know what I should be looking for. I have couple of other bras loaded on here to compare. Thanks!
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Suggestions (3)
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6
helpful
I think this underwire is a bad shape for you, rather than the wrong size. We can see from the side pic that the wire is pinching deeply into the flesh of your sides (whether this is breast tissue or just your side, I'm not sure). It's not a particularly narrow wire but it curves up and in at the sides whereas you probably need something that is wire-free, or else has a wire that tapers out wide on your side to match your shape. The distribution of breast tissue on your torso appears to be tall and somewhat V-shaped, so while the bottom/base of your breast roots is narrow you do need more width up top. Since you don't have particularly large or heavy breasts, I think wire-free styles are probably going to be more comfortable for you, unless you can find wires which happen to perfectly suit your shape.
Updated on August 1, 2014 Flag this
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Well I don't know of any underwires that have precisely this shape--that's the trouble actually, when you have this shape (which is very common among more petite or lean women) your breast root is sort of V shaped as opposed to the tilted half-circle or half-oval of most underwires, so wires tend to be a problem. What I've seen most people do, if they want an underwire, is to either look for bras where the wire is very short i.e. it ends very low down and does not interfere with the upper part of the breast root; or else shop around for brands that are known to have very very flexible wires (which is a subject of much complaint among other women, but a good thing for you--Prima Donna uses soft bendy wires and if you do a Bra Adventure asking for other suggestions I'm sure you'll get plenty). When you have a tall breast root a low/short wire can be awkward because it usually means the bra is somewhat low-coverage, but if you don't have large, heavy breasts you may be totally fine with that.
Nursing bras are also known for particularly bendy, flexible wires. The popular misconception that they are a SUPER DIFFERENT product from regular bras is quite untrue--they make super cute ones nowadays, so I almost always recommend them to people whose shape does not match most available underwires and/or people who have health conditions or chronic pain.
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Just as an example, this recent Bra Adventure addressed the issue of trying to find a bra with a lower/shorter underwire, and the OP found one she liked:
http://www.bratabase.com/profile/2mq/adventures/4153/ -
Wendy covered almost everything (I have this breast shape and prefer wireless styles) but I would like to add that bending underwires to make them better suit my shape has worked well for me. Turning them into more of a J shape. Obviously, you can't return or resell if you do this. It also makes the cup shape more shallow.
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6
helpfulIf the measurements you provided are correct then this band simply is too tight for you. A too tight band can easily account for most if not all the fit and comfort issues you mention: a too tight band puts too much tension on the wire which often results in flattened out cup bottoms and a gore that tilts inwards against the sternum. Can you try this bra on with an extender -- or double check your measurements! -- and see how it behaves then? Keep in mind that in the smaller sizes bra bands often do not have to be worn as tightly as in the larger sizes, simply because the breasts themselves weigh less and therefore require less counter force to be properly supported.
As for going wireless: I can wholeheartedly recommend the Freya Deco Moulded Softcup Bra. Great shape, great support, really worth a try, if you're interested
Updated on August 5, 2014 Flag this
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1
helpfulVery thin women often have the problem of underwires digging into the flesh. It's okay, I have this problem too. You seem to have a tall, narrow root, and Betsey Johnson bras are usually made for people with wider, shorter roots. I would avoid Betsey Johnson and b.tempt'd in general.
The first thing that comes to my mind is the Freya Deco...this would be the first place you could start looking for bras that suit your shape. The original Freya Deco is nice, and if the wires dig you can always use a Freya Deco soft cup.
Updated on August 5, 2014 Flag this
Hi Wendy, thanks for commenting on both fit requests. I think I am a lottle confused about what shape I should be looking for (still so new to all this breast and bra jargon!) Could you share a bra or two in the style that you think I should go for, even if it doesn't come in my size or has underwire that won't work?